Obituaries

AUGUST 12, 1906 - JULY 6, 2012

Funeral services for Deacon Ellis Fields, Sr., who died July 6, 2012, were held Friday, July 13 at 11:00 a.m. at Isle of Hope Baptist Church in Uvalda. The Rev. Alvin Alexander, II, presided and Bishop L. C. Rogers officiated. Interment followed in Isle of Hope Cemetery. [Full Story »] 

Earl Griffin, Sr., 72, died Friday, July 13, 2012 in Community Hospice in Vidalia. Earl was born Nov. 22, 1939 in Ocilla to the late Rev. Ashley Griffin and the late Emma Gray Griffin. He was a member of Damascus Primitive Baptist Church of Mershon, where he served as a deacon. Griffin was a veteran having served in the United States Air Force. He was a retired educator and was retired from the railroad. Earl was preceded in death by his sister, Lillian Fletcher, and four brothers, Albert, Barney, Virgil and John David Griffin. [Full Story »] 

Louise Edwards Marsh, 67, died Friday, July 13, 2012 at East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro. Mrs. Marsh was born Jan. 18, 1945 in Greenville, S.C. to the late R. Lee Edwards and the late Olive Hollis Edwards. She was a member of Melton’s Chapel Methodist Church. Louise was preceded in death by a sister, Elaine Adams and a brother, Robert Edwards. [Full Story »] 

Philip A. Hare, Sr., 76, died Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at his residence under the care of Southern Care Hospice. He was a native of North Tonawanda, NY and had lived in Appling County since 1986. Hare retired from the United States Navy after 22 years of service. He was a member of Ten Mile Baptist Church, the American Legion and was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. in Corfu, NY. [Full Story »] 

A devoted mother, grandmother, sister and church member, Lola Nails, of Norwalk, CT, died Thursday, July 5, 2012. Lola was born May 9, 1944 to the late Lonell and Sarah Ethel Nails in Baxley where she was raised and attended school. Upon relocating to Connecticut, she was employed at Myers Manufacturing Company and Caldor in Norwalk, CT for many years. Lola was also a member of St. James Missionary Baptist Church, Norwalk, CT for many decades.

In addition to her parents, Lola was preceded in death by a sister, Frances Spearmon, a brother, Joe Nails and two brothers-in-law, Roosevelt Coleman and Charles Winston. [Full Story »] 

Jerry Wayne Thompson, 66, died Sunday, July 8, 2012 at his residence. Thompson was born June 14, 1946 in Opelika, AL. He was a member of Harmony Baptist Church. Thompson was a retired police officer with Atlanta Police Department, a painting contractor and store merchant and was known as Papa Jerry’s. He was a fine-fine man and was a gentleman. He was preceded in death by his father, Glennie Thompson and a brother, Roy Thompson. [Full Story »] 

Marlene A. Buffkin, 75, of Pooler, died Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah. Marlene was born April 13, 1937 in Appling County to the late Ernest and Dicey Tillman Edwards. She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church. Mrs. Buffkin was a retired secretary for Baxley Veneer and Cleat. [Full Story »] 

The funeral services for Evangelist Missionary, Imogene (Tina) S. Crayton, who died June 28, 2012, were held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 3 at New Jerusalem Church, with Overseer, Sarah R. Mims officiating. Interment followed in Old Field Memorial Gardens. [Full Story »] 

A.D. “Al” Garner, 92, passed away Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at Appling Healthcare System. Garner was born in Laurens County, and resided in Berrien County before entering school at Berry College in Rome, where he graduated in January, 1944. He completed officer’s training school at Columbia University in New York City and entered the U.S. Navy, serving in the South Pacific in World War II. He was employed as the Farm Superintendent at the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home Baxley Campus for thirty years, retiring in 1985. Garner was active in civic organizations over the years and was recognized and awarded for his agricultural and farming achievements, including being named Appling County Farmer of the Year. He was a member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and taught Sunday School for sixty years, having retired from teaching the Joy Group Class. He sang in the choir, led singing, rendered many solos, served as church treasurer, chairman of the deacons and in numerous other church positions. [Full Story »] 

Charlotte M. Maley, died Wednesday, June 27, 2012 following an extended illness. She was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church and sang in the choir. Mrs. Maley also served on the Coffee County Board of Health, Coffee Regional Hospital Auxiliary and was a devoted nurse for many years. [Full Story »] 

Nathaniel James Mikulecky was born July 2, 2012 and passed shortly following birth. [Full Story »] 

Rev. John W. “J. W.” Nail, 77, died July 2, 2012 at the Pavilion under the care of Hospice. J. W. was born June 19, 1935 in Appling County, the son of Don C. and Mildred Brown Nail. [Full Story »]